Beyond the Mountains of Madness

Jeff (Dr. Robert Cope) was absent [Dr. Oskar Orendorf’s letter to his Aunt Beatrix] Monday, 4 Sept, 1933 : Dear Aunt B, I had hoped to write you daily but so much has happened of late, to say it is hectic is too simplified a description. If only my days were as simple as setting the broken leg of the ship deckhand who fell thru an open hatch. The fact we have Professor Moore in charge is a blessing. The man has his hands full trying to “corral” Mr. James Starkweather’s news announcements. I can’t blame the man as he IS trying to secure financial backing for our expedition beyond his investment; but, his thirst for frontpage attention drives Moore mad.     Charlene Whitston   Mad like James’ ravings over Acacia Lexington’s announcement of her own expedition. You should have heard him scream, “GET ME A WOMAN!” They must have some history; she’s definitely put a burr up his behind. Anyway, if you’ve heard rumors of me out and about with ...

[written by NPC Jimmy Clark, an undercover newspaper reporter who has joined the expedition as part of the film crew.] Thursday, 31 August, 1933 : Jimmy walked into the newsroom, tossed his hat&coat on his desk, stopped at the pay window to submit his voucher, then strolled into the editors office where he was greeted with, “Damn it, Jimmy, you’re gonna singlehandedly bankrupt me! ” Jimmy tried to calm him down, “I’m telling you boss, I’ve got a nose for headlines and THIS expedition will have a life of its own. I can smell multiple angles, whether exclusive rights reporting their success, or revealing behind-the-scene calamities that will spell its doom. And that glory-hound Mr. Starkweather is practically writing THAT story for me.” “Remember that May article I wrote where Starkweather gloated about ‘stealing a member of Byrd’s team’? There’s competition and one-upmanship for you. What, three expeditions heading south within months of each other? And Starkweather unable to get ...

Bill (Wilbur Sampson, 25) Jeff (Dr. Robert H. Cope, 35) Orin (Dr. Oskar Orendorf, 30) Science Degree from New York University/Photographer/Winter Survivalist Paleontologist Medical degree from MU School of Pharmacy. Lettered on Wrestling Team. Thursday, 6 July, 1933 : Wilbur excitedly opened the letter from the Starkweather-Moore Expedition office. “Dear Mr. Sampson, you are hereby invited for an interview as candidate for the expedition team. Please present yourself to the NYC Amhurst Hotel front desk, on Thursday, 13 July for your 2pm interview.” Wilbur couldn’t believe his good fortune. “I guess my bosses for Byrd’s 1928 expedition came through with character references for me. Now what should I bring for the interview?” Wilbur pulled out the original newspaper article announcing the Starkweather-Moore Expedition . “A September departure and only 3 months to explore? And that’s after trying to recover the prio...